The Chicago Bears announced Saturday night that rookie Justin Fields will be the starting quarterback against the visiting Detroit Lions on Sunday.
The Bears also said that veteran Andy Dalton (knee) was downgraded to doubtful. Chicago coach Matt Nagy said Friday that he wouldn’t name a starter until he knew Dalton’s status.
If Dalton is made inactive on Sunday, it will mark the second straight game he has missed due to the injury. Nick Foles will be the backup if Dalton isn’t available.
Dalton sustained a bone bruise on his left knee during a Week 2 win over the Cincinnati Bengals and missed last week’s 26-6 loss to the Cleveland Browns.
The 33-year-old Dalton is in his first season with the Bears and has completed 73.5 percent of his throws for 262 yards, one touchdown and one interception.
Fields, the No. 11 overall pick in the 2021 draft, started against the Browns and it didn’t go well. He completed 6 of 20 passes for 68 yards but gave 67 yards back on nine sacks. Chicago had 47 yards of total offense.
Overall, Fields is just 14-of-35 passing (40 percent) for 138 yards and one interception in three games.
–Field Level Media
